Services

Discount for the first time you visit

Animal Care services delivered with professionalism and care

Dental health

Dental health is just as important as any other aspect of your pet’s wellbeing. That’s why our friendly team work from a modern dental unit replete with all the latest technology for dental procedures and extractions.

In-house lab

To diagnose your pet comprehensively and effectively, we have an in-house IDEXX laboratory equipment for any necessary biochemistry and blood cell analysis which we use as an aid in medical diagnosis.

We can also carry out in-house urinanalysis and microscopy, or use an external veterinary laboratory when additional testing or the second opinion of a clinical pathologist is needed.

Pharmacy (include repeat prescriptions)

Our pharmacy is well-stocked and is the perfect companion to our other vital tools, including very modern diagnostic equipment, an ultrasound scanner, an ECG machine and an efficient “in-house” IDEXX laboratory system.

Weight control

Your pet’s weight can be a major contributing factor to their overall health, whether they’re over- or underweight. We can give expert dieting advice for your pet, and you’re free to use our weighing scales at any point in time to regulate your pet’s weight yourself.

We also stock high-quality diets specially formulated for weight loss, keeping your pet fit and healthy for as long as possible.

Microchipping

Microchipping is vital to keeping your pet safe, and is a legal obligation if you’re a dog owner.

With your pet microchipped, you’re safeguarded against the possibility of losing them, by placing a small tracking chip under their skin. Remember to keep your contact details with us current to ensure your pet gets back to you safely.

Vaccinations

Vaccinating your pets is incredibly important to their wellbeing, protecting them from a huge variety of illnesses.

Puppies should receive their first vaccination between eight and 10 weeks of age, and their second two weeks later.

Kittens should receive their first vaccination around nine to 10 weeks of age, and their second three weeks later.

Rabbits should be protected with a vaccination from five weeks of age. This vaccination can be administered with a single shot.

Your animals will then require a regular series of vaccinations as they grow older, usually at annual intervals, to ensure they remain safe and healthy throughout their life.

Operations

In the event that your pet requires an operation, we can provide you with state of the art facilities and dedicated professionals who’ll do all they can to give your animal the best treatment possible.

We use special anaesthetics to ensure the safety of your animals, which are monitored incredibly closely while under anaesthetic.

X-ray and ultrasound

We want to receive the clearest and most accurate x-rays possible, which is why we’ve invested in a digital x-ray processor for the best results.

When combined with our high-quality ultrasound machine, we can guarantee accuracy when investigating orthopaedic, heart, chest or abdominal problems.

Pet passports

When you want take your pet to new climes, obtaining a pet passport is a must. To get your pet passport, your veterinarian will have to thoroughly examine your animal and provide them with any jabs they need to protect them from foreign illnesses.

You’ll also have to ensure that your pet is microchipped before they’re allowed to travel to or from the UK.

For more information, check out the government’s website by clicking here.

Neutering

Having your pet neutered isn’t just about stopping the chance of reproduction. It’s also a necessary procedure to prevent a number of cancers and other serious illnesses.

We can provide you with neutering services for dogs and cats. This service is performed while your pet is under general anaesthetic, and each pet will have a trained member of staff observing the anaesthetic while a fully qualified veterinarian performs the procedure.

Your pet will receive the best treatment in our modern and hi-tech purpose-built operating theatre. Please read the Operations section of this page or take a look at our About Us page for more information.

Free nurse clinics

Our team of fully qualified veterinary nurses are on-hand to provide you with FREE consultations by appointment. Our nurses can provide you with:

Free dental checks

Free puppy and kitten health checks

Free weight checks

A spacious waiting room

We’ve expanded our waiting room to give your pets a little more room while they wait. To avoid tension between pets, we also have a separate waiting room for cats only, and a large amount of space for kennels.

Reviews

Meet The Team

Sophie Hooper

RVN

Sophie qualified as an RVN in 2016 and joined Special Friends in March 2018 from a small animal practice in Kidderminster. She has a degree in Philosophy with media, and is currently studying for her Advanced Veterinary Nursing Diploma at Harper Adams University. Sophie is crazy about animals and has many herself – 2 degus, 4 rabbits, 3 cats, and 2 very handsome bullmastiffs called Wilson and Barkley! When she isn’t looking after her ...

Ceri Land

RVN

Ceri qualified in 1999, and worked in the Gloucestershire and Worcestershire areas before joining Special Friends in 2001. Married to Tim and with two small children she says she has no time for any extra mural activities that do not involve swimming (with the children) dancing, (with the children) cookery (with the children) and sometimes she can be found playing (with the children)!

Stephanie Gardiner

VCA

Joining the practice in March 2013, as an addition to the reception team, Steph is on hand to support clients as well as the veterinary and nursing staff. Before moving to the Midlands, Steph worked at a vets in South Wales, supporting the reception and nursing team. She is looking forward to a long career with Special Friends, and when she is not working she is a keen horse-rider and enjoys being out in the countryside.

Dawn Evans

RVN BVNA

Dawn joined the team at Special Friends in 2005 following a career break to bring up her children. Married to Steve and with two sons, Dawn qualified way back in 1980 as an original RANA. Her spare time is spent looking after husband, sons, her border collie cross ‘Tilda , Freddie the cat and Elvis the rabbit.

Sian Burwood

MAVetMB MRCVS

Siȃn qualified from Cambridge Vet School in 2011 and has been working in small animal practice in Worcestershire ever since, starting in Bromsgrove and Kidderminster before coming to Redditch to join Special Friends in 2017. Siȃn loves being a GP vet with all its variety; fundamentally all our patients are family pets and keeping them happy and healthy is why she went to vet school. Outside of the practice Siȃn is a keen dressmaker and yoga enthu ...

Frances Singh

ANA

Fran joined the team at Special Friends in 2009, and qualified as an Animal Nursing Assistant in 2010. She combines working on reception with assisting the Vets and Nurses. Since she has been working here, her menagerie at home has increased to 1 cat, 1 rabbit, 1 hamster and 8 chickens who all work hard to provide the staff with a generous amount of multi-coloured eggs!

Tim Land

BVM&S MRCVS

Tim qualified from the The Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, Edinburgh in 1998 and worked in several mixed animal practices in the Worcestershire area before joining Special Friends in 2005. Together with his wife Ceri, they are owned by 1 dog called Maggie, Stanley the cat and 2 children. When he is allowed to leave the practice, he enjoys playing guitar and keyboards in a local covers band.

Dr Ashley Bramich

BVM&S MRCVS

Ashley qualified from Cambridge in 2000 and after a brief foray into equine practice in Australia and mixed animal practice in Nottinghamshire decided that small animals were his destiny! He has worked in and around the Midlands for the past decade, most recently in Solihull, before joining Special Friends in 2017.
Father of 2 young children Ashlet struggles to find time for activities outside of work that do not involve them, but ...

Morwenna Taylor

BVSc MRCVS

Morwenna qualified from Liverpool University in 2010. She worked in a small animal practice in the West Midlands until joining Special Friends in 2015. A native of Cornwall, Morwenna has two cats and a dog named Stanley. Morwenna spends her spare time with her husband and visits home to Cornwall to enjoy the beaches.

Caroline 'Caz' Griffiths

RVN

Caz joined us in 2014 from a small animal practice in the West Midlands. Caz is a keen motorcyclist and enjoys commuting between the practice and her home in Worcester. Caz likes assisting at surgical work and meeting clients pet's at Nurse Clinics.

Naomi Killingsworth

RVN

Naomi qualified as a Registered Veterinary Nurse in 2008 and joined Special Friends in 2010 having spent several years working as a nurse for the RSPCA. In her spare time she has hand-reared and fostered over 300 kittens - and kept 6 for herself! Outside of work Naomi enjoys fitness training, hiking with her husband and can often be seen hanging upside down at her local rock climbing centre.

What Our Special Patients have said

I really enjoyed my time at Special Friends

Recent News

RCVS Practice Standards

We are extremely pleased to announce that, once again, Special Friends have passed the stringent assessment for accreditation by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. This assessment, conducted by professional staff appointed by the RCVS, takes place every four years. A very BIG thank you to all the staff for the effort needed to consistently maintain the high standards required by the RCVS, that allow us to retain the much sought after ...

Winter 2015 Newsletter

Winter Fleas – don’t get caught on the hop!
Flees are a fact of life for pets and it is normal to have some protection against them in place. Not only do they cause itchy bites, they can spread tapeworms and, in young pets, can cause life threatening anaemias.
During the winter months, fleas usually only breed indoors – making the most of the central heating. Adult female fleas can lay up to 50 eggs per day and these ...

Winter 2016 Newsletter

The festive season is an exciting time, with plenty of lovely food, chocolate galore, presents, visitors, not to mention all the decorations and the tree! Here are some tips to keep your pets out of trouble.
Please click here to download.